The Space Between

Chapter 30: The Football tournament

The roar of the crowd was deafening, each cheer sending a surge of adrenaline through my veins. This was it—the first game of the tournament. The stands were packed with students, faculty, and families, all eyes on us. Bright banners waved, and I could hear the rhythmic clapping and chants pushing us forward. My parents were up there too, beaming with pride, and I couldn't help but scan the faces until I spotted Sophia.

There she was, standing next to Emma, her gaze fixed on the field. I hadn’t asked her to come, not directly anyway, but seeing her there sent a rush of gratitude through me. Marcus nudged my side with a knowing smirk.

"Emma pulled her along since you wouldn’t have the guts to ask her yourself," he teased.

I laughed, the tension easing slightly. "Thanks, man. Seriously."

We bumped fists, and Marcus grinned. "Let's give them a show. We’ve got this."

The game kicked off, and it was all movement and noise—bodies colliding, feet pounding the turf, and the ball flying between players. I was in the zone, every pass, every play coming together like clockwork. Marcus was on fire, delivering perfect passes, and Ethan, despite everything, was playing fiercely. I stayed focused, pushing aside the thoughts of Sophia’s lips or the way she made my heart race.

Midway through the game, we managed to break through their defense. Marcus sent the ball to Ethan, who skillfully dribbled past the defenders. My moment came in a blur—I sprinted, positioned myself, and took the shot. The ball hit the back of the net, and the crowd erupted. My teammates swarmed me, all shouting and celebrating. It was electric, the kind of high you chase as an athlete.

The clock was ticking down, and the intensity ramped up. The score was tied, and we needed one more goal. I saw my chance in the final minute—a perfect pass from Marcus. I took off, dodging defenders, the noise of the crowd fading into the background. I aimed and struck. The ball soared, and the net rippled just as the final whistle blew.

We won. But the celebration was short-lived. As I came down from the jump, I felt a sharp pain shoot through my leg. I landed wrong, and the ground came up fast. The crowd’s cheers turned to gasps. I tried to push the pain aside, but it was intense. My teammates pulled me up, their faces a mix of relief and worry.

I forced a smile, trying to play it cool. This game was ours, but the tournament was just starting, and the last thing I wanted was to be sidelined. I could feel the importance of this moment, not just for the win, but for everything ahead. I needed to recover fast—I couldn’t let this injury hold me back.

The medics rushed me off the field, my leg throbbing with every step as they hurried me into the medical room. My parents, Sophia, Emma, Marcus, and the rest of the team flooded in right behind us, their faces etched with worry. My mom was the first to reach me, tears welling in her eyes as she fretted over the injury.

The doctor examined my leg, gently probing around the ankle where the pain was the worst. “It’s a sprain,” he said, finally. “The swelling is pretty bad right now, but with two to three days of rest and some ice, you should be good to go. We’ll need to keep an eye on it, but if all goes well, you can join the tournament after a couple of matches.”

Relief washed over me. I could handle missing a game or two as long as I’d be back on the field soon. The thought of sitting out entirely had sent a jolt of fear through me, but now I could breathe easier. If we won the next few games, I’d be there for the crucial matches.

I tried to put on a strong face as Sophia approached, her eyes full of concern. Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around me, pulling me into a warm hug. I could hear the surprised murmurs from my teammates behind us, but I didn’t care. Sophia was here, and that was all that mattered.

Emma, Marcus, and the others quickly excused themselves, leaving the room one by one. I noticed my mom’s expression shift to something sterner as she watched us, her disapproval clear. She didn’t say a word, just turned and walked out, leaving an awkward silence in her wake.

Sophia pulled back, confusion flickering across her face. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I didn’t mean to do that in front of your parents.”

My dad gave her a reassuring smile. “It’s okay, Sophia,” he said softly. “I’ll go check on her.” With that, he left the room, leaving just the two of us.

I pulled Sophia back in for another hug, not wanting to let go. She laughed softly, her arms squeezing me tighter, and I couldn’t help but grin. From the doorway, Marcus and Emma were watching, smirking at our little display.

“Looks like PDA id a part of your life now,” I joked, winking at Sophia as I pulled back just enough to see her face.

She rolled her eyes, but the smile didn’t leave her lips. “You’re impossible,” she said, her voice light despite the worry I knew she still felt.

“Impossible or irresistible?” I shot back, earning a playful shove from her.

The laughter from Marcus and Emma filled the room, easing some of the tension that had been there just moments ago. For a second, everything felt perfect, injury and all. We had each other, and that was enough for now.